Why
Did You Become a Criminal Justice Professor:I became a criminal justice
professor because I wanted to work with students who often see the
world for all its possibilities. I enjoy nurturing the intellectual
spirit in our students and watching them take hold of that spirit and
grow with it. I also
enjoy educating people about the topics that I am most passionate about -
both inside the classroom and through my extensive research.

Michele P. Bratina,
Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice

Office: Shippen Hall 311Phone: (717) 477-1765Email:mpbratina@ship.edu

Education:PhD: Indiana University of PennsylvaniaMA: University of Arkansas, Little Rock

Why
Did You Become a Criminal Justice Professor:To encourage students to acquire
decision-making skills influenced by critical thinking practices and research with
the ultimate goal of effectuating positive systematic-wide changes at all
stages of the criminal justice system.

Why Did You Become a Criminal Justice Professor:I chose to become a professor in criminal justice because I wanted to conduct academic research on related criminal justice topics. I also want to pass on my expertise to both undergraduate and graduate students in order to help them develop skills that will advance their careers in the field.

Why Did You Become a Criminal Justice Professor: I went into criminal justice with the goal of working in law enforcement. However, after class, I always annoyed my friends by telling them everything I learned that day. Finally, in frustration, one of them said "since you love talking about criminal justice so much, why don't you become a professor." After some thought, I realized that's exactly what I wanted to do.

Why Did You Become a Criminal Justice Professor:Criminal justice professionals have awesome power in our society. Teaching is my small contribution to ensure our students exercise their power judiciously, fairly, and with compassion.

Why Did You Become a Criminal Justice Professor:After serving over 20 years as a juvenile justice practitioner, it was time to leave the field and complete my graduate degrees. Becoming a criminal justice professor allowed me to bring my experience into the classroom and connect with future practitioners in a very meaningful way.

Why Did You Become a Criminal Justice Professor:I
wrote and managed grants to enhance law enforcement technology and to
provide coordinated responses for persons with substance abuse and
mental illness with the criminal justice system. I wanted to bring
practical experience to the classroom. I appreciated faculty that could
integrate applied and academic approaches to this field of study.